How the Queen Mother moulded the modern monarchy
On the 20th anniversary of the death of the Queen Mother, we look at the life of the other Queen Consort…
She lived to the grand old age of 101 and when we think of the Queen Mother, we remember the lively older lady who loved a gin and Dubonnet.
But the Queen Mother’s influence on the monarchy we know today – and the future one – should not be underestimated. So, to mark 20 years from her death, on Wednesday, March 30, we take a look at the remarkable life of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who never wanted to be a royal, let alone a queen.
Born The Honourable Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon on August 4, 1900, she was the ninth child of Lord Claude George Bowes-Lyon and Lady Nina Cecilia Bowes-Lyon and lived in London, Hertfordshire and Glamis Castle, Scotland.
After her debut, she caught the eye of Prince Albert, but was not enthusiastic about entering the Royal Family and refused him, saying she was afraid, “never, never again to be free to think, speak, and act as I feel I really ought to.”
It took him three attempts to get her to agree and they married at Westminster Abbey on April 26, 1923, after which Elizabeth laid her bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in memory of her brother, who died in WWI, starting a royal tradition for brides, that has continued since.
The Duke and Duchess of York lived a happy family life in London, with their two daughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, who were the darlings of the day. But life took an unexpected turn when Albert’s older brother Edward VIII abdicated the throne on December 11, 1936, meaning Albert reluctantly – and Elizabeth even more so – became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Their mission was clear – they had to restore the monarchy with a sense of calm and duty, no more so than during the Second World War. It was suggested the princesses be sent to Canada, but Elizabeth replied furiously, “The children won’t go without me. I won’t leave The King. And The King will never leave.”
The Queen Mother was in Buckingham Palace when it was bombed in 1940, after which she said she felt she could now “look the East End in the face” and she and George VI visited bombsites around the city and country, where her kindness and sympathy touched victims. One woman wrote to Barbara Cartland, “The Queen came down yesterday. She said to me, ‘I am so sorry. I know what you are feeling.’ It was like the voice of an angel. There’s never been a lady like her.”
Sadly, the King left way before his time, on February 6 1952, meaning 25-year-old Princess Elizabeth became Queen and Queen Elizabeth became The Queen Mother.
She continued her public duties for the rest of her life, including over 40 official visits abroad and as Patron or President of 350 organisations. She also exerted great influence on her family – providing support to the Queen throughout her reign and enjoying a close and nurturing relationship with Prince Charles, encouraging his sensitive side, at odds with his father Prince Philip.
When she passed away, Charles spoke of their close relationship. “Somehow I never thought [her death] would come. She seemed gloriously unstoppable, and ever since I was a child I adored her,” he said. “She was quite simply the most magical grandmother you could possibly have and I was utterly devoted to her.”
The Queen Mother was the first member of the Royal Family to reach the age of 100 and passed away in her sleep at 101, on March 30, 2002, with the Queen by her side.
Catherine’s Caribbean chic
As we reported last week, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge have been touring Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. And while the reception was enthusiastic, the headlines have been mixed, as Jamaica’s Prime Minister did not mince his words when it came to his intentions for the country becoming a republic. “We are moving on and we intend to attain, in short order, our developing goals and to fulfil our true ambitions … as an independent, developed, prosperous country,” Andrew Holness said.
However, one thing which was an unequivocal success, was Catherine’s dazzling summer wardrobe. From her stunning sequin The Vampire’s Wife gown, £2,250, to her vintage sundress, bespoke green Jenny Packham ballgown (similar one here) and custom-made white Alexander McQueen dress and hat, she looked like a ray of sunshine and left us wondering both how she looks better every year and how soon the sun’s going to come out so we can get the look, for a little less, of course…
Queen in Vogue
As Vogue UK pays tribute to the Queen with a special cover for its April issue featuring a 1957 portrait by Antony Armstrong-Jones, we were also delighted to see Her Majesty look radiant at an engagement on Wednesday. Smiling broadly and clearly having fun, the monarch was viewing tiny teacups, trinket boxes and a new Platinum Jubilee collection created by Halcyon Days.
The Queen had been due to visit the Staffordshire-based company in 2020 to mark its own Platinum Jubilee, but then the pandemic hit. With the monarch now strictly WFH and having mobility issues (she was using a sturdy walking stick), the luxury goods brand was instead invited to set up shop and celebrate its anniversary in Windsor Castle’s White Drawing Room.
Halcyon Days, which holds all three Royal Warrants, is the only supplier of objets d’art to the royal household and has been a family favourite ever since the Queen Mother first commissioned it in 1970. During the audience, the Queen picked up a trinket box, featuring three colour portraits of her late mother in 1923.
This week will be full of memories of lost loved ones for the Queen, as this Tuesday is a Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey as well as Wednesday’s anniversary of her mother’s death.
Thanks for the craic
There was another royal tour this week and here at The Royal List we’ve been loving following Charles and Camilla’s Platinum Jubilee tour of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Thousands have greeted them every step of the way and the couple look like they’ve been having the best time, too - even learning a few dance moves at County Tipperary’s Brú Ború Cultural Centre.
Charles’ message posted on Instagram, summed it up perfectly. “It has been a particularly special pleasure to meet so many of the people who, building on this sense of connection, have been changing our world for the better across Ireland.”
Join the Jubilee parade
Calling all retro fans – if you love a bit of vintage style and own an authentic outfit, classic car or bike, the Platinum Jubilee Parade organisers want you. They are searching for a cast of volunteers for the Jubilee Pageant on Sunday 5th June.
They want retro fans to represent the seven decades of Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne, from 1950s rockers and 1960s mods, to ’80s goths and ’90s ravers. And if you have your own authentic vehicle, even better. But hurry, entries close today. For more information, visit here.